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The Elaphite islands, Croatia

On the western side of Dubrovnik, in its immediate surroundings there is the finest Dubrovnik archipelago called Elaphite (in Greek meaning the Deer Islands), closely bound to Dubrovnik and its entire past.

The islands are very beautiful, and they seem to be constant guardians of the sea and coast; they have always been the home of the brave captains and sailors of the Dubrovnik Republic and the present Dubrovnik.

The islands are called Kolocep, Lopud, Sipan, Jakljan and Olip.

The island KOLOCEP (KALAMOTA)

It is a green island with 100-year-old pine groves, carol-trees, olive groves, with gardens full of orange and lemon tress, fine beaches, all of the island a large park. It is one of the favourite excursion spots of the citizens of Dubrovnik.

Two villages, Donje Celo and Gornje Celo, one on the eastern and the other on the western side of the island, are joined by a curving path running through olive groves and gardens.

There are still numerous remnants of old architecture to be found all over the island, like the old small pre-romanesque churches, basilica ruins, summer residences, watch-tower the Polyptych painted by

Ivan Ugrinovic, 15th century, one of the finest works of the "Dubrovnik school of painting".

There are possibilities of crossing over to the island several times during the day from the Gruz harbour.

The island of LOPUD

An island characterized by flourishing Mediterranean, subtropic vegetation, marvellous parks and beaches, gardens with orange and lemon trees; it is one of the best developed touristic islands in the Dubrovnik area.

The eminent seafarer Miho Pracat was also a native of Lopud. According to the historian Razzi, Lopud had 30 churches in the 16th century, a great number of summer residences, several monasteries and many more inhabitants than today. There are also many ruins of early medieval churches, summer residences and strongholds on the island.

The Franciscan monastery from 1483 with cloisters, defense tower and walls, keeps a valuable collection of art in the church Sv. Marija od Spilice (St. Mary of the Cave).

The church Gospe od Sunja (Our Lady) from the 15th century is a valuable monument of culture and has paintings by Palma Vecchio, Natalino da Murano, Matej Juncic and others. The island is easily reached by regular and excursion lines from Dub-rovnik.

The island of SIPAN

The largest of the Elaphite islands in the archipelago, with quiet bays, beaches, green cypress groves, lemon and orange trees, numerous old buildings, small churches, summer residences of the noblemen and common citizens spread all over the grove-covered hills, with a long history full of stories and legends, it is one of the jewels of the Dubrovnik area.

Two villages, Sudjurad at the east and Sipanska Luka at the west side of the island have fine houses that can accommodate a number of tourists. Good regular and tourist lines from Dubrovnik.

The island JAKLJAN

A small island, covered with forests, in the immediate surroundings of Sipan. There is a rest-home with a camp and a restaurant there.